Somerville, Flemington, Clinton holiday events this weekend
The Central Jersey holiday season is returning to normal with annual events that draw thousands set for this weekend.
The Downtown Somerville Alliance's Holiday Jubilee will be held Friday evening while the Hunterdon Chamber of Commerce's Annual Hunterdon County Holiday Parade is scheduled for Sunday evening.
The Somerville Fire Department's Holiday Lights Parade will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday.
In addition, the 35th annual Clinton Christmas parade will be held at 7 p.m. Friday.
Somerville
This year’s Holiday Jubilee will begin at 5:30 p.m. Friday on the main stage on Division Street in Somerville where community members and visitors will enjoy a variety of live entertainment including music, carolers, dancing, and a visit from Santa.
Because of the pandemic, the 2020 Holiday Jubilee was a virtual celebration that aired live on Vimeo and Facebook.
“The Holiday Jubilee is one of our most exciting and highly anticipated events of the year,” said Natalie Pineiro, executive director of the Downtown Somerville Alliance. “There is nothing quite like celebrating the spirit of the season right here, where the unique history and charm of Somerville create a magical backdrop to celebrate the holidays with family, friends and neighbors.”
Santa is scheduled to arrive at 7 p.m. and free photos with Santa will be available 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the United Reformed Church on West Main Street.
After Santa arrives, the Christmas tree will be lighted on Division Street.
There will be strolling carolers from 6 to 9 p.m. on Main Street and Division Street, plus strolling characters Anna, Elsa and Olaf from Disney's "Frozen."
Free horse-drawn carriage rides will also be available from 6 to 9 p.m. at the United Reformed Church and the Giardina Walkway.
Beginning at 6 p.m. and lasting until supplies run out, free hot chocolate will be available at the Giardina Walkway, Mannion's Irish Restaurant and Pub, Village Brewing Company and the United Reformed Church.
Free cookies will also be available at the Giardina Walkway from 6 p.m. until supplies last.
Live entertainment on the main stage on Division Street will include: Black Belt World, 5:45 p.m.; School of Rock, 6 p.m.; Elite Dance Center, 6:15 p.m.; Somerville High School Chorus, 6:30 p.m., Studio L Bridgewater, 6:45 p.m. Floor is Yours Dance Center, 7:15 p.m., Jersey Harmony Chorus, 7:30 p.m.
The Holiday Jubilee is sponsored by RAM Law, Somerset County Tourism, and the Downtown Somerville Alliance with support from the Borough of Somerville, the Somerville Fire Department and the Somerville Police Department.
For more information about the Holiday Jubilee, visit www.downtownsomerville.com.
The Somerville Fire Department's annual Holiday Lights Parade will start at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Prizes will be given for the best decorated fire and emergency vehicles, personal floats vehicle, and best decorated houses and/or businesses in Somerville.
Flemington
The Hunterdon County Holiday Parade will be held on Main Street in Flemington starting at 5 p.m. Sunday.
The parade will honor first responders for their work during the pandemic.
“The Hunterdon Holiday Parade is a great reflection of our county, and truly brings in the spirit of the holiday season," said Chris Phelan, president of the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce. "It is our way, as a business community, to thank everyone for all their support especially throughout the past 18-plus months."
It will be a relief to return to normal once the pandemic abates, he said.
They're back: Hunterdon Harmonizers will get you into the holiday spirit with their 'Holiday Reunion'
"Everyone has had to adapt, both personally and professionally, it’s almost unfathomable," he said. "As business owners, they have been forced to think outside the box, pivot and remain flexible amidst a constant climate of uncertainty. I’ve spoken with many business owners, and I applaud them for their resilience and determination."
The parade will once again feature the Hunterdon Central Regional High School Marching Red Devils and Saint Ann’s of Hampton Pipes and Drums.
Before the parade, entertainment will be provided by the young singers from the Star Maker School of Clinton.
Sponsors of the parade include Hunterdon Healthcare, the Borough of Flemington, McDonalds, ShopRite of Hunterdon County, Positive Youth Coalition and Prevention Resources.
For more information on the parade, visit www.hunterdonchamber.org.
Clinton
The 35th Annual Clinton Christmas Parade will be held Friday starting at 7 p.m.
The parade route will be the same as in 2019, forming on New and Center streets. The parade will turn right onto East Main Street and proceed over to Main Street. It will then turn right onto Lower Center Street, which is an ideal spectator location. The parade will proceed up Lower Center Street, turning left and ending after crossing the Halstead Street Bridge.
The parade will be led by the Hooper Firetruck, carrying a local Girl Scout troop. It will have 10 professional floats, 25 to 30 local floats, performing groups such as the North Hunterdon and Voorhees High School marching bands, St. Ann’s Bagpipe Band and Boy Scout Marching Band 121. There will also be costumed characters such as Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Ronald McDonald and crew, Sam The Snowman, Christmas Minion, Dory, Our Zany Madcap Elf and Scooby Doo.
Gardener State: A Jersey guide to real Christmas trees
Sponsors are AM Best and Company, The Hunterdon HealthCare System, Unity Bank, Ihling Sales and Service, RE/Max Supreme/ Motto Mortgages, Clinton Pharmacy, Gebhardt and Keifer Law Offices, Woodstock Farms, Ron and Martha Subber, Weichert Realtors, Less Hall and Associates, The North Hunterdon Rotary Club, The Towne Restaurant, McDonalds Restaurant, Reiner Insurance, Powerco and The Guild of Clinton.
Shuttle buses will provide transportation from the South Ridge Community Church (located on Pittstown Road just beyond the entrance to Wal-Mart Plaza) to the Clinton House Restaurant. Buses will start at 5 p.m. and will return immediately after the parade. Porta-Johns will be located at the Lower Center Street parking lot just behind Main Street.
For more information, visit www.clintonchristmasparade.com.
Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com
Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Somerville, Flemington, Clinton holiday events this weekend
